IBM today announced the new ThinkPad TransNote*, the world's first
portfolio notebook which combines a mobile computer with a digital notepad
in a stylish package that features the industry's most radical design
change since the clamshell.

The ThinkPad TransNote allows highly mobile users to integrate paper-based
information into the digital workspace easily and efficiently. The
ThinkScribe* digital notepad, digital pen and Ink Manager* Pro software
capture handwritten ideas on paper and transfer them to the computer,
where they can be managed, organised and searched. The TransNote can be
used to share handwritten information via e-mail, word processing
documents and presentations, and can even manage handwritten "to do"
lists.

The TransNote offers an effective solution for mobile professionals, such
as executives, sales reps, bankers, and lawyers, and in particular for
users whose work involves filling in forms on a regular basis. Target
industries include finance, insurance, medical, government, real estate,
higher education, legal and others.

"The TransNote leverages IBM's strength with the ThinkPad brand, and is a
unique, well engineered, new style of laptop that demonstrates IBM's
innovation in providing solutions for new areas of business" said Andy
Brown from IDC.

Gerrit Schipper, CEO and President of Abz Holding, a Dutch company that
has organised the first financial business community hub, and provides
eLogistic services for the European financial business community, heralds
the IBM ThinkPad TransNote as a breakthrough productivity device. "Abz
services many professionals that have a specific need to integrate
structured and unstructured information. Our customers such as damage
appraisal experts, financial planners, insurance brokers and many other
professionals for whom mobility and working on the spot is important will
find the TransNote refreshing and in particular very versatile", said
Gerrit Schipper.

"We were one of IBM's early partners integrating the TransNote into our
various business processes, even before the product was formally released.
The feedback we received was incredible. Today we are working with IBM to
customise our own business applications with the TransNote and have it
seamlessly interface with our financial business community hub. Abz web
based services will truly become available anywhere, anytime for anyone
using the TransNote as their virtual office", added Gerrit Schipper.

The ThinkPad TransNote portfolio design is truly unique. Protected by an
easy to grip Endurimer cover, the TransNote opens like a book. Inside on
the left side is a high performance mobile computer with a pivoting touch
screen that can be used unobtrusively flat or raised to any desirable
angle to expose a keyboard with full-sized keys. On the right side the
digital notepad integrates a standard letter-sized or A4 pad of paper.
The mobile computer and digital notepad can be used together or
independently.

"The ThinkPad TransNote is a leadership product that represents IBM
technology at its finest," said Peter Sutherland, mobile brand manager,
IBM Personal Computing Division. "It provides an ideal solution for those
customers who are looking to combine pen and paper with a mobile computer
to manage and share their information more effectively and efficiently."

TransNote Product Features

Weighing in at less than 2.5kgs and 33mm thin (complete with digital pen
and paper pad), the ThinkPad TransNote is optimised for wireless
connectivity through optional 802.11b wirelesss LAN or Bluetooth PC cards
for short-range workgroup collaboration. Models are available for both
right and left handed users.

Product features include:

- A pivoting 10.4inch FlipTouch screen, allowing the display to be used
flat, or raised exposing the keyboard. Both the screen and image can be
inverted to share work with other users.

- A ThinkScribe digital notepad and digital pen, which automatically saves
handwritten notes, transfers them to the computer. Its 2MB of flash memory
can save up to 50 pages of notes, even with the PC off, and transfer them
once the system is turned on.

The TransNote incorporates the full power and ease-of-use of the
award-winning IBM ThinkPad line, including the legendary TrackPoint*
tracking device, and the ThinkPad Button with links to information,
resources and help. The ThinkPad TransNote was conceived and developed by
various research and design teams throughout IBM, including the famous
T.J. Watson Research Center in Yorktown, NY.

'New Standard for Mobile Computing'

The TransNote is powered by a low-voltage Intel Mobile Pentium** III
processor at 600 MHz, 64MB of memory, a 10GB hard disk drive and a choice
of Microsoft Windows** 98SE or Windows 2000 Professional operating
systems. The portfolio notebook also features integrated Ethernet and 56KB
modem, two USB ports, a video port, a port replication port and PC Card
and Compact Flash slots.

Customers can choose from a wide range of accessories to customise the way
they work. The ThinkPad TransNote Port Extender provides a one-cable
connection and delivers enhanced expandability. The IBM 1GB Microdrive
utilises the Compact Flash slot built into the TransNote and delivers the
power of digital technology.

The ThinkPad TransNote is the ideal solution for a number of industry
specific tasks. A Software Development Kit (SDK) is available to
customers and solution providers so that customised uses of the TransNote
can be enabled such as the creation of customer specific forms.

Pricing, Service and Support

The starting price for a model preloaded with Microsoft Windows 98 is
£2,059.

The ThinkPad TransNote, along with the rest of the ThinkPad family, offers
a broad range of functionality for companies of all sizes as well as
individuals. The notebook computers are available directly from IBM in UK,
France, Germany and Sweden via the Internet http://www.ibm.com/shop/uk or
telephone on 0800 169 1458. The new ThinkPad notebooks are also available
through IBM business partners.

Options by IBM offers a wide range of accessories and upgrades designed to
work with the ThinkPad TransNote. For a complete list of options, visitwww.ibm.com/options.

IBM offers personalised Web-based support, one-year limited warranty that
can be extended and 7 days a week/365 days a year hardware support during
the warranty period.

Ref: 01/041

Notes to Editor:

About IBM

IBM is the world's largest information technology company, with 80 years
of leadership in helping businesses innovate. IBM creates, develops and
manufactures the industry's most advanced information technologies,
including computer systems, software, networking systems, storage devices
and microelectronics. The fastest way to get more information about IBM is
through the IBM home page at http://www.ibm.com

About IBM PCD

A pioneer in the design and manufacture of cutting-edge personal computing
solutions since 1981, IBM's Personal Computing Division (PCD) offers a
comprehensive family of products for optimised performance in a networked
world. These range from compact Work Pads and award winning ThinkPad
mobiles to powerful IntelliStation workstations, IBM eServer xSeries and
the sleek NetVista line of next generation desktops and thin clients. All
incorporate innovative IBM design features and is backed by the company's
unsurpassed worldwide customer support and service networks.

About IBM ThinkPad

IBM ThinkPad continues to lead the way in delivering enhancements,
innovations and solutions that have shaped and defined the mobile
computing industry. To date, more than 10 million ThinkPad notebooks have
been shipped. Since the launch of the ThinkPad 700C in 1992, these
acclaimed notebook computers have been lauded as design and engineering
models, winning more than 700 industry awards. ThinkPad notebooks have
been trusted for use in some of the world's most extreme settings,
including space shuttle launches, altitudes more than 17,000 feet above
sea level and on the open seas.

* Indicates trademark or registered trademark of International Business
Machines Corporation.

**All other company, product and service names may be trademarks or
service marks of others.

Bluetooth is a trademark owned by Telefonaktiebolaget L M Erricsson,
Sweden, and licensed to IBM.